Description
Easy make-ahead cold dip recipe featuring cream cheese, sour cream, ranch seasoning, fire-roasted corn, Rotel tomatoes, and green chiles. Perfect for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Dip:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 16 oz sour cream
- 1 oz packet ranch seasoning mix
- 15 oz can fire-roasted corn, drained
- 10 oz can Rotel (tomatoes & green chiles), drained
- 4 oz can diced green chiles, drained
- 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
For Serving:
- Tortilla chips
- Pita chips
- Fresh vegetables (optional)
Instructions
Take your cream cheese out way ahead of time or you’ll be sorry. I forgot once and tried to mix cold cream cheese – it was like trying to stir concrete. If you’re like me and forgot, cut it up and microwave it for maybe 15 seconds, then check it. Don’t nuke it into soup.
Mix the hell out of that cream cheese until it’s smooth. I use my hand mixer because I’m not about to whisk cream cheese by hand like some pioneer woman. Should take a couple minutes and look all fluffy and nice.
Plop in the sour cream and dump that ranch packet right on top. Mix it all up until you can’t see any dry spots of seasoning. Sometimes I lick the spoon here to make sure it tastes right – judge me if you want.
Drain your corn and Rotel really well because nobody wants soggy dip. I usually dump them on some paper towels while I’m messing with the cream cheese stuff. Then just fold everything in – corn, Rotel, green chiles, cheese. It should look like a party.
Cover it up and stick it in the fridge for at least a couple hours. Overnight is better because all the flavors get cozy together. I always make mine the day before because I’m usually running around like a crazy person on party day anyway.
Notes
- Make it heartier: Add cooked shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, or browned ground beef for a more substantial dip
- Heat level control: Start with half the green chiles if you’re serving a crowd with varying heat preferences – you can always add more!
- Cheese upgrade: Use a combination of sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack for more complex flavor
- Mix-in timing: Add delicate ingredients like fresh herbs right before serving to maintain their bright flavor and color
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: Chill Time: 2-3 hours
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex